Collecting Fall

We went a few miles up the mountain to make fall collections of sticks, weeds, and wildflowers.  The kids much prefered collecting and/or throwing rocks.

The much-preferred hangout spot for the kids.

Michael showing off his "twin" acorns.

Adelyn with her fall collection

This is a test...

For journal purposes, I'd love to have pictures of the growing belly like I have for the other kids.  However, I know it'll get harder to take pictures when I feel like a barge.  But I can do it... I can do it.  (I'm saying that to myself a lot these days).

So...

20 weeks

This isn't too much of a real test though, because I'm not that much bigger than I was with Joey.  I thought I'd blogged about it, but I didn't.  I found the picture here though...

20 weeks with Joey

Are we finally going to be a big family- Take 2

Back to the discussion about being a "big family."

Are you considered a big family if you take 5 kids to school, but only drop off one?

What if you look into the back of your minivan, only to find it is completely full of carseats?

What if you don't own a guest room, because all the rooms in your house are full and occupied with your own kids?

What if your dining room table doesn't seat your family anymore?

What if there were enough people in your family that each could be assigned a day of the week to say the dinner prayer?

Is my argument legitimate? Don't you think people should start saying, you have such a cute "big" family!?

I'd say that sometime before February, we ought to be able to claim the "big family" title.

Is my point clear? We're having twins! TWINS! And most likely identical, and most likely BOYS.

We got the news on Friday at our routine 20 week ultrasound. It is fun to be in the news-sharing phase for now.

Now I can explain how the baby could kick the top and bottom of my belly at nearly the same time. It also explains why I thought I was having a girl. "I must be carrying high this time because I feel like I've already run out of room to breathe." It explains why I measured a little big at my last prenatal visit. And I only hope it can help explain my daily naps, my crazy moodiness, and why the "baby" felt so heavy when I ran.

And of course, now I can feel good about eating for three!

Joey puts it best when he squeals, "TWO babies!!" We are excited, overwhelmed, and feeling pretty close to heaven right now.

Who should be the next "Annie"

We think all of them are a pretty big deal.

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THE County Fair

We enjoyed a fun weekend at the county fair.  Fun enough that this is kind of going to be a long little journal entry.

It started out with a PERFECT activity for our family.  It was a combination of free stuff, geocaching, and a little county fair action.  That's right, if you locate the geocache at just the right time, there were free arena tickets!  We got the first set of tickets and went to the demolition derby.  Two funny things.  One, Joey was talking in his sleep that night, hoping Dad wouldn't crash the car.  Michael LOVED it and stayed awake for almost the whole thing but he eventually crashed, and by crashed, I mean Mike flipped him up to a fireman's carry, and the boy didn't stir.

The kids and I all entered things into the fair exhibits.  I reupholstered my second chair last week, and the kids made bead bracelets.  We all got blue ribbons.  The kids were very excited to see the blue ribbons next to their bracelets.  Their blue ribbons are already proudly displayed in their rooms.

Mike also accepted a volunteer position as the MC at the contest tent for the big family contest this year.  Last year was "Fear Factor" (any fond memories?) and this year  was "Minute to Win It."  It was a little crazy with 10 teams, but I think everyone had a good time.  He did a great job!

I even gave him a haircut the night before so he could look legit.

The kids entered the "Oreo Stacking" competition.  True to form, I had a camera and a nearly dead battery.  I wish I would have caught a shot of Adelyn.  She had her tower stacked two times as big as any of the other kids... she didn't realize she wasn't allowed to support it with her hands and I was busy with the boys to see what she was doing until it was too late.  When they told her it had to be free-standing, it went free-falling.  They were sad, but we came home with a couple packages of Oreos, so they were plenty satisfied.

Joey really wanted to get to business.  I thought he just wanted to eat the cookies, but he never put one to his lips until the contest was over.  He stacked just like the big kids.  I was impressed.

We bought some carnival tickets early at half price and let the kids pick 4 rides each.  I was surprised at how much Adelyn enjoyed the rides.  Both the boys had a great time too.  Michael is my little rule-breaker and wanted to stick his hands and arms everywhere outside of the rides and stand up while the rockets were at their highest.  On the last ride, he was standing on the seat of his Merry-go-round horse.  Grrr!

Their faces show remnants of the Oreo stacking contest.

I was sad I couldn't race this year in the 5k, especially since they added a family competition this year.  The first 5 team members to cross the finish line from your family are scored with other family teams just like a x-country track meet.  And even harder for me... my family did so well!!  They got 2nd place!  The kids and I were the cheerleaders.  We handed out Jolly Ranchers half way through, and met everyone at the finish line.  My only consolation is that my rival of this race would have killed me with her time this year.  Mike beat his last year's time by over a minute!

 Go Team "Si Se Puede"

Adelyn was in the parade this year as a "dancer."  She didn't dance, but got to ride on the trailer with the other little ones in her school.  She was thrilled to get dressed-up this morning, and I think she felt pretty grown up, being able to be in the parade without someone else from the family.  We came home with about $10 worth of candy from the parade (either in bags or bellies).  Thank goodness there was someone giving out string cheese for us non-sugar snackers.

All dressed up.

Today, Mike got to take the time off work, and we had a great day together with family.  I can't wait until Labor Day next year!

Homework

After Adelyn was done solving a logic homework problem, she asked me to fill out the parent section.  I am supposed to write her explanation of how she figured out the problem.

Me: "How did you decide Caleb's backback was green?"
Adelyn: "Because I'm so smart."
Me: "Should I write anything else?"
Adelyn: "Nope.  That's how I figured it out."

So I wrote, "Because I'm so smart."  I hope the teacher giggles too.